Notice of retired revision

Bowing to pressures from the Facebook community, the social network withdrew a recent revision of its Terms of Use.

The Terms, updated February 4, gave Facebook perpetual licensing rights to all content uploaded to the site, even after a user closes his account. It also included a clause enabling it to sublicense material.

Revisions were brought out into the open by The Consumerist this week, at which time users began organizing online rebellions — including the launch of a Facebook Group, which in a handful of days swelled to over 70,000 members.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg justified the Terms of Use changes in a blog post late Monday afternoon. But at 1:17 AM this morning, he updated the blog to inform users that the revisions have been removed for the time being.

The blog post was promoted on users' personal Newsfeeds early today. The company also started a Group, Facebook Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, where members can help craft working guidelines for optimal use of the social network.

"Our terms aren't just a document that protect our rights; it's the governing document for how the service is used by everyone across the world. Given its importance, we need to make sure the terms reflect the principles and values of the people using the service," Zuckerberg wrote.

This instance marks the second time Facebook has altered its service in response to backlash. In 2007 it scaled back aspects of Beacon, a then-new social advertising platform, after users expressed privacy concerns. Zuckerberg also penned a personal apology.